As we become busier and busier, it becomes more important to intentionally set aside time for family. An easy, fun way to do this: family game night.
The idea of having a family game night has been around for years, but has slowly lost popularity as more shows premiere on television and more games come out for Wii. These kinds of activities, however, do nothing to promote family bonding.
There are many games, both new and classic, that kids of all ages love. Games are great for stimulating minds and creating fun times with the family.
A classic game that can be used over and over again is cards. A basic deck of cards can be used for countless games. Since most kids are already familiar with cards in general, they are able to pick up on different games pretty quickly. Furthermore, there are many books and sites out there that explain different games that can be played with a single deck of cards.
There are a few things to keep in mind while engaging in family game night. First of all, make sure that everyone understands the rules of each game that you play. Nothing is more frustrating to a child than to feel lost and confused while everyone else seems to understand what is going on. It is also important to maintain an appropriate degree of competitiveness. Teach your kids that it is fine to be competitive, but don’t be overly competitive and get joy out of dominating your middle schoolers. It may even be a good idea to occasionally play without scoring, emphasizing the importance of just having a good time.
Family game night can be a great way to encourage your kids to take their eyes away from the TV screen and engage in activity with others. Most importantly, it provides a medium through which your family can laugh and bond with one another.
Maria_M27on November 09 2009 15:15:06
This is so true. I remember my family used to have game night, but there were many times when the evening was ruined because of my brother and I arguing with each other. So definitely stress the importance of having a good time and playing fair to avoid family fights.
